Double dress constructrion and method for its manufacture



April 4, 1967 R. J. AUSMAN 3,311,923

DOUBLE DRESS CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE Filed Dec. 24, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VENTOI? omaine Jflusmmz April 1967 R. J. AUSMAN 3,311,923

DOUBLE DRESS CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE Filed Dec. 24, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOZ fiGd 7 B Romaine Jflusman United States Patent 3,311,923 DOUBLE DRESS CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE Romaine J. Ausman, 815 Mines Road, Socorro, N. Mex. 87801 Filed Dec. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 420,922 8 Claims. (Cl. 2-74) This invention relates to a dress design and to a particular method for manufacturing the dress. Specifically, the invention is concened with a dress having reversible features whereby the same dress can be worn with either side exposed, with a completely different appearance being provided by each side.

The desirability of providing variations in the appearance of clothing is widely acknowledged. There is no doubt that style is by far the most important consideration in the purchase of contemporary clothing. It is even more certain that emphasis on style is predominant when the clothing of females involved.

It is, of course, possible to provide extremely wide variations in dress designs by simply purchasing a number of dresses equal to the number of variations preferred. This approach to the formation of a wardrobe is, of courw, unsatisfactory to a large percentage of the population for economic reasons. When attempts are made to avoid the economic rdiificulty by purchasing ins expensive articles of clothing, then quality is sacrificed to the point where the actual cost of clothing will approach the cost of an expensive wardrobe. is, of course, due to the fact that inexpensive clothing will wear out at a much faster rate.

Previous attempts have been made to provide for the manufacture of reversible clothing and, in particular, double dresses. It is theoretically possible to provide two dresses for the price of one with such an arrangement. However, this theory has not been proven in practice. It has been found that the design of the dresses and the methods for their manufacture have been complicated to the point where significant savings cannot be achieved. Thus, a double dress of equivalent quality will often approach twice the cost of a single dress.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel design for a double dress whereby suitable variety in the formation of a wardrobe can be achieved in a more economical manner.

It is a further object of this invent-ion to provide a design for a double dress which permits the dress to be manufactured in a relatively easy fashion whereby the techniques for producing the dress will not add unduly to its cost.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a method for the manufacture of a double dress which is relatively uncomplicated whereby a double dress of high quality can be produced at a relatively low cost.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter, and, for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a double dress manufactured in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view of the double dress;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a blank of material employed for the bodice front of the dress;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a blank of material employed for the bodice back of the dress;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a blank of material employed for the skirt portion of the dress;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view illustrating a stage of assembly of the dress parts;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a type of interfacing seam employed in the dress design; and,

FIGURE 8 is a plan view showing stitching of the neckline and armseye sections.

The double dress of this invention is adapted to be formed from blank-s of material having three essential shapes in the case of a sleeveless dress or sleeve and bodice in a one-piece dress. As will be explained, a fourth blank of material of conventional shape is employed w'here sleeves are to be provided on the dress. The instant invention involves a particular method for assembling the various blanks of material whereby the completed dress can be achieved in a highly efficient and economical manner. In addition, the dress which results from the techniques of this invention is characterized by certain unique features which make the dress highly suitable from the standpoint of design appeal. Furthermore, the particular basic dress design is adapted to be provided with a great deal of variation without departing from the basic techniques of this in vention. Thus, certain variations discussed herein and other conventional design approaches can readily be undertaken with the techniques of this invention to thereby provide a desirable deviation between the dresses produced.

The dress 10 shown in FIGURE 1 includes a bodice front portion 12 and a skirt portion 14. As suggested by the cutaway portion, there is also an underlying skirt portion 16. FIGURE 2 illustrates the back of the dress, which includes bodice back portion 18, in addition to the skirt portions 14 and 16. The back bodice portions overlap to provide buttons 20 and buttonholes 22 in double button or stud type fastening. A how 24 and pockets 26 are illustrated in the particular embodiment shown. However, these are only provided as examples of features which can be included in the dress.

The dress illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 is composed of fabrics of two different designs. The figures illustrate the dress in each of its arrangements, and it will be noted that the skirt 14 is exposed in FIGURE 1, while the skirt 16 is exposed in FIGURE 2. In the particular embodiment, the same fabric is employed for both the bodice front and back, inside and outside. Therefore, the bodice of the dress is the same in each position of use.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a blank 28 which is used in forming the bodice front. In the assembled dress, two of the blanks 28 are located, one on top of the other, with the exposed surfaces of the blanks forming the outer surface of the dress, depending on the side which is to be exposed.

The blank 30 of FIGURE 4 is employed in forming the bodice back. Two of these blanks are employed, and each is folded along the line 32 when the blanks are prepared for use. The folded edges are associated in sideby-side relation, and these edges overlap as shown in FIGURE 2 to provide for the location of the buttons and buttonholes.

The four blanks 34 are employed in forming the skirt. In the particular embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, two such blanks are formed of one fabric design, while two are formed of the other fabric design. In the assembled dress, the two fabrics of one design are positioned inside the fabrics of the other design. Obviously, when such an assembly is turned inside out, the fabrics which were previously on the outside will then be positioned between those which were previously on the inside. Accordingly, the exposed surface of the dress will be of the same fabric in the particular embodiment shown.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the various dress portions in a stage of their assembly. It will be appreciated that the assembly steps which are undertaken are critical for several reasons. Specifically, it is important to provide a method for assembly which is efficient from the standpoint of the speed with which the succeeding steps can be carried out. The efiicient technique must be combined with an arrangement which will permit high quality seams whereby a durable construction will be the result. Finally, techniques which permit the use of seams which are hidden from view to a substantial degree are important since they greatly improve the appearance of the final product.

In accordance with the method of this invention, as best illustrated in FIGURE 6 the bodice blanks 28 are laid one on top of the other, and these blanks are positioned in edge-to-edge relation with the blanks 30. As shown, the blanks 30 are positioned in side-by-side relation with the folded edges 32 overlapping. The first seams are stitched along the shoulder lines 36, and the resulting arrangement is shown in FIGURE 7. As illustrated, each of the bodice fronts is attached to an adjoining bodice back. However, these are not connected together.

The neckline 38 is then stitched whereby the inner and outer bodice portions are joined together. The neckline seams are stitched to provide a configuration as shown in 7 FIGURE 8.

Set-in sleeves can be associated with the construction. These sleeves may comprise overlying pieces of material, such pieces being shown at 40 in FIG. 6. The pieces of material are attached to the respective overlying front and back bodice portions 28, 30 along the line 42 defining the armseye. It will be noted that the sleeve pieces straddle the shoulder seam, extending on both sides thereof. The adjoining side edges of the overlying sleeve pieces are stitched together along the length of the sleeve. If sleeves are not to be set in, the armseye is stitched joining the armseye edge or sleeve edge in a sleeve and bodice in a one-piece dress to provide a finished armseye or sleeve edge. These are stitched in the manner as shown in FIG- URE 8. The bodice side seams are left unstitched until the skirt blanks have been attached.

In attaching the skirt blanks, each of the skirt fronts (two different fabrics) is attached along the line 44 to a respective bodice front. Similarly, the skirt backs are attached along the line 46 to the bodice backs. Inner facing seams in the manner of FIGURE 7 are also employed when attaching the skirt blanks.

The side seams are then stitched to complete the basic assembly operations. Thereafter, the hems of the inner and outer skirt portions are formed, and these hems are, of course, independent of each other and provide for length adjustment.

A fabric which is identical on right and wrong sides may be incorporated in this procedure and only two skirt blanks used. In this case, the side seams of the skirt are stitched using a flat fell seam. The lower edge of the bodice of one side is turned under and machine stitched at the juncture of the bodice and skirt blanks 44 and 46 (FIGURE 6). The hem is formed on the skirt blanks and secured by stitching.

As previously explained, various conventional items can be employed in combination with a double dress of the type described. It is contemplated that a conventional elasticized strip can be employed in the back waistline for a fitted effect. A belt can obviously be associated with the dress in place of the bow illustrated, and the belt or bow can be removably or permanently attached at the bodice side seams. The dress manufacturer has complete freedom with regard to the type of buttons employed, and with respect to the use of pockets or other trim. Obviously, the hemlines can be varied in accordance with conventional practice.

A particular arrangement of fabrics has been employed in the above description, although the invention is by no means limited in this regard. Obviously, the same fabric could be used for the entire dress, and the reversible features would still be of importance, since the dress could be worn for a longer period without cleaning. This would be particularly important in the case of smaller children, and it is, of course, an advantage in any reversible dress.

Although it is a less essential design, it is also contemplated that the blank 30 could be divided into two different fabrics along the line 32, so that the bodice back will present different designs when reversed. The front of the dress is easily provided with different designs by simply employing two different fabrics for the bodice fronts 28. It is also contemplated that the garment may be made, using the described procedure, with the button closure being located on the bodice front blank. This is accomplished by changing the front and back blanks.

Style designs which locate the skirt and bodice juncture at other than normal waistline position may follow the procedure described and produce a garment of the double dress type. The procedure may also be applied to yoke and skirt garments without any change in the basic approach.

It will be understood that various additional changes and modifications can be made in the dress design of this invention, while still providing the fundamental characteristics of the invention, particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a reversible dress construction including front and back bodice portions and slcirt portions, the improvement wherein one of said bodice portions comprises pieces of material secured in back-to-back relationship with the outer surfaces thereof adapted to be alternately exposed, wherein the other of said bodice portions comprises pieces of material situated in substantially side-by-side relationship on opposite sides of the dress and being folded along the center about substantially adjacent vertical center lines thereby forming separate double ply bodice portions, and wherein said skirt portion comprises four pieces of material with two pieces joined along their vertical side edges to form a first skirt portion and with the other two pieces joined along their vertical side edges to form a second skirt portion positioned concentrically therewith, each of the skirt portions being joined along the lower edges of the bodice portions of said dress.

2. A dress construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein :the bodice front and back portions are all formed of the same material and wherein each pair of joined skirt portions is formed of a different material.

3. A dress construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein the folded edges of said bodice back portions overlap to provide surfaces for buttons and buttonholes.

4. A dress construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said double ply front and back bodice portions include shoulder portions that are joined by means of inner facing seams, the shoulder portion of one ply being free of connection with the shoulder portion of the; other ply.

5. A dress construction in accordance with claim 4 wherein said skirt portions comprise pairs of concentrically situated pieces of material joined along their side edges by means of inner facing side seams and said skirt portions being connected only along their juncture with said bodice portions.

6. A dress construction in accordance with claim 1 including set-in sleeves comprising overlying pieces of material attached to the respective overlying front and back bodice portions, said sleeve material straddling .the shoulder seam and extending on both sides thereof with the adjacent side edges of the sleeve material being stitched together.

7. In a reversible dress construction including front and back bodice portions and skirt portions, the improvement wherein one of said bodice portions comprises pieces of material secured in back-to back relationship with the outer surfaces thereof adapted to be alternately exposed, the other of said bodice portions comprising two separate pieces of material situated in substantially side-by-side relationship on the opposite side of the dress from the said one bodice portion, each of said other bodi e portions being folded along the center about substantially adjacent center lines thereby forming two separate double ply bodice portions, the respective front and back bodice portions including upper edges defining the shoulders of said dress, and including innerfacing seams connecting said upper edges of the bodice portions, said bodice portions also being connected along their side edges with armholes being defined between the side edges and the upper edges, and wherein said skirt port-ion comprises separate pieces of material joined along vertical side edges to form first and second skirts positioned concentricaly with respect to each other, each of said skirts being joined to bottom edges of said bodice portions.

8. A method for assembling a dress construction which includes front and back bodice portions and skirt portions, one of said bodice portions comprising separate pieces of material positioned in back-to-back relationship with the outer surfaces thereof adapted to be alternately exposed, the other of said bodice portions comprising separate pieces of material folded along the center about substantially adjacent vertical lines, and said skirt portions comprising two separate skirts, each formed from two separate pieces of material, said method comprising the steps of joining the upper edge of each of 55 said one bodice portions to one edge of each of said other bodice portions whereby the one bodice portions are disposed in overlying relationship with respect to the other of said bodice port-ions, and whereby the pieces 5 of material comprising said other bodice portions are located on each side of said one bodice portions, said joining defining shoulder edges with a neckline opening defined therebetween, joining said one bodice portions along the neckline defined between the previously joined 1U shoulder edges, joining the upper edges of said skirt pieces to the lower edges of each of said bodice portions, joining said skirt pieces in pairs which overlie each other, joining a pair of overlying skirt pieces to a corresponding bodice front portion and the other pair of overlying skirt pieces to a bodice back portion, and thereafter joining the bodice and skirt portions along their sides.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

H. H. HUNTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A REVERSIBLE DRESS CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING FRONT AND BACK BODICE PORTIONS AND SKIRT PORTIONS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN ONE OF SAID BODICE PORTIONS COMPRISES PIECES OF MATERIAL SECURED IN BACK-TO-BACK RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OUTER SURFACES THEREOF ADAPTED TO BE ALTERNATELY EXPOSED, WHEREIN THE OTHER OF SAID BODICE PORTIONS COMPRISES PIECES OF MATERIAL SITUATED IN SUBSTANTIALLY SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE DRESS AND BEING FOLDED ALONG THE CENTER ABOUT SUBSTANTIALLY ADJACENT VERTICAL CENTER LINES THEREBY FORMING SEPARATE DOUBLE PLY BODICE PORTIONS, AND WHEREIN SAID SKIRT PORTION COMPRISES FOUR PIECES OF MATERIAL WITH TWO PIECES JOINED ALONG THEIR VERTICAL SIDE EDGES TO FORM A FIRST SKIRT PORTION AND WITH THE OTHER TWO PIECES JOINED ALONG THEIR VERTICAL SIDE EDGES TO FORM A SECOND SKIRT PORTION POSITIONED CONCENTRICALLY THEREWITH, EACH OF THE SKIRT PORTIONS BEING JOINED ALONG THE LOWER EDGES OF THE BODICE PORTIONS OF SAID DRESS. 